As tensions continue to increase in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, U.S. energy supplies are being disrupted, raising oil prices at home and increasing the threat to our soldiers and national security. Energy is what the U.S. needs to run everyday life, continue development at home and ensure national security. So why not switch over to an energy source that is more reliable and readily available here at home?
That is exactly what the U.S. military has been looking into, in particular, solar. Knowing the importance of a secure and reliable energy source, and with the current price trends of oil production, the Department of Defense realizes something needs to change, and have declared that they want renewable energy to make up a quarter of its total energy consumption by 2025. This seems like an ambitious goal with how much energy the military currently consumes, but they have already started working towards that goal and have recently began construction for a 68-acre solar power plant at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, which will now be the largest solar installation on any U.S. military base.
Our Department of Defense is quickly beginning to realize the importance of having secure, cheaper energy supplies at home that are easily attainable, renewable energy sources like solar, wind and geothermal. The large budget allocated to defense has allowed our military to begin building massive renewable energy power plants like the one at Fort Huachuca and the capability to look into innovative new technologies to charge their electronics, like the portable solar backpacks, solar tents and suitcase-like fold up solar panels. As the difficultly of extraction and transportation of fossil fuels increases in hostile areas like Afghanistan, so does the demand for something safer, easier and more reliable like these portable solar chargers.
Naval Base Coronado is already in the procress of going green. In 2012, the base constructed 15 solar panel systems that will produce approximately four hundred thousand kilowatt-hours of energy per year. “As part of the Navy’s energy initiative we constructed 15 solar panels, called solar trees, that will rotate with the sun throughout the day,” said Lt. j.g. Brett Sauers, the assistant public works officer for Naval Base Coronado. “Each of the solar trees will convert enough solar energy during a single day to power three to four standard household.”
San Diego residents are seeing the effects of increasing energy prices at the pump and on their electric bills, which is why the number of solar installations in San Diego County have been booming over the last couple of years. More residents are becoming educated on the benefits of clean, renewable, reliable energy that is both good for the environment and good for their wallets.
Sullivan Solar Power, a local, turnkey solar installation company, is dedicated to helping Southern California learn the ins and outs of solar power. On Saturday, August 23, Sullivan Solar Power will be hosting a free, educational workshop at the Coronado Public Library (640 Orange Ave) from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This one hour presentation will cover solar technology, rebates and incentives, how to evaluate solar companies, owning vs leasing a system and the recently launched Property Assessed Clean Energy program, HERO. Two North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) industry experts will be on hand to answer any questions. To RSVP for this free workshop please call 1.800.SULLIVAN or email [email protected]
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About Sullivan Solar Power
Sullivan Solar Power is a turnkey solar system provider that delivers solar electric projects from concept to completion. The company has installed over 19,300,000 watts of solar power ranging from small-scale residential to large-scale commercial and municipal systems. Sullivan Solar Power is headquartered in San Diego, Calif. and owned and operated by Dan Sullivan. Sullivan Solar Power has a longstanding A-plus rating with the Better Business Bureau, with no complaints filed since the business began. The firm has been named one of the fastest growing energy companies in the nation by Inc. Magazine for three consecutive years and services all of Southern California. Regardless of project size and scope, Sullivan is committed to delivering the best products and the most qualified professionals to its customers. Visit http://www.sullivansolarpower.com for more information.
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Some information sourced from: Navy.mil
